Realist Academy Walton Hall

Realist Academy Walton Hall Oil painting courses with British artist Louis Smith. The Realist Academy is run by British artist Louis Smith.
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The school was founded to offer training to anyone who has the desire to learn how to draw and paint portraits using the Old Masters’ methods complimented by some contemporary techniques. Louis Smith’s teaching approach is unique: he keeps class sizes small to meet individual needs and improve academic achievement. You will be provided with guidance and support at every stage of your journey.

19/03/2026

Your story. Your likeness. Captured forever.
Some moments deserve more than a photograph. A hand-painted portrait holds presence, depth, and memory in a way nothing else can. It becomes something you live with, something that stays.
For a limited time, you can commission your own portrait for £289.
How it works:
In-person sitting
Attend one or two sittings where your portrait is painted directly from life, allowing for a careful observation of form, light, and character.
Or from a photograph
If time is limited, I can work from a photo reference. A professionally lit image can be arranged, or you may provide your own, from which I will create a fully realised hand-painted portrait.
Each painting is made to capture not just how you look—but who you are.
For more information or to view my work, visit: https://www.louissmithart.com/art-gallery/alla-prima/
Contact:
[email protected]
07960989666
If you’ve been thinking about it, this is the moment to begin. Send me a message and we can get started.

This week in the studio was all about finishing our grisaille paintings.Students focused on refining values, strengtheni...
15/03/2026

This week in the studio was all about finishing our grisaille paintings.
Students focused on refining values, strengthening form, and resolving the final details that bring the work together. Grisaille is all about learning to see and control tone, and it’s always fascinating to watch the paintings develop from the first block-in stage to a finished piece.
The photos show both the early stages of the grisaille and the completed paintings, along with the class hard at work during the final session.
Well done everyone for the patience and concentration this week – finishing a painting is often the most challenging part of the process. 🎨

EASTER SALE – 50% OFF 🐣🎨Portrait Class📅 Sunday 29 March 2026⏰ 9:30am – 12:30pmWas £12 → Now only £6https://www.realistac...
12/03/2026

EASTER SALE – 50% OFF 🐣🎨
Portrait Class
📅 Sunday 29 March 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 12:30pm
Was £12 → Now only £6
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/portrait-class-sunday/
• 3-hour portrait pose
• Tea, coffee & biscuits included
• Only 14 places available
This is a non-tutored session.
Book your place now before it fills up!

🎨 How did Bouguereau paint such beautiful skin tones?In this 2-day master copy workshop you’ll discover his method for m...
08/03/2026

🎨 How did Bouguereau paint such beautiful skin tones?
In this 2-day master copy workshop you’ll discover his method for mixing harmonious flesh tones using a Burnt Umber base.
📅 11–12 April 2025
Saturday - Sunday
⏰ 9.30am – 4.30pm
👉 Book now
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/william-bouguereau-workshop/
You’ll learn:
• How to analyse a Bouguereau master painting
• How to model form through subtle tonal shifts
• How to create soft edges and luminous skin tones
• The classical sight-size method
💰 Easter Sale: £146 (was £180)
🔥 Save £34 – limited places
👉 Book now
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/william-bouguereau-workshop/

🎨 Part-Time Portrait Painting Course 2026–27Have you always wanted to learn how to paint portraits — but never knew wher...
01/03/2026

🎨 Part-Time Portrait Painting Course 2026–27
Have you always wanted to learn how to paint portraits — but never knew where to start?
Due to demand, our Part-Time Portrait Painting Course is now also available on Tuesdays, alongside our popular Saturday sessions.
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/portrait-painting-course/
This course is designed especially for beginners and developing artists who want clear guidance, structured training, and real progress.
This isn’t about talent — it’s about learning the right techniques, step by step, in a supportive studio environment.
✨ Choose between Tuesdays or Saturdays�✨ Classical drawing and painting methods�✨ Small group teaching�✨ Personal guidance and feedback�✨ Build real confidence and skill
Whether you’re starting from scratch or returning to art after years away, this course will give you the foundation you need to truly understand portrait painting.
📍 2026–27 enrolment now open�Spaces are limited to keep teaching focused and personal.

So proud of what the students achieved while creating a master copy of Portrait de femme la tête renversée by William-Ad...
18/02/2026

So proud of what the students achieved while creating a master copy of Portrait de femme la tête renversée by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Interestingly, the results were even stronger than our old in-person academy workshops — because instead of cramming into a weekend, we worked one morning a week over six weeks. That extra time for reflection, practice, and feedback made a huge difference.
Each session was a focused 3-hour class, helping students build real skills in tonal harmony, subtle form modelling, and delicate transitions — without burnout.
Why online works so well:
✅ Live demonstrations
✅ Paint along in real time
✅ Personalised feedback & corrections
✅ Recorded lessons to revisit anytime
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part — your dedication really shows.
If you’d like to join a future online workshop, feel free to message me. More classical studies coming soon 🎨

🎨 ONLY 2 PLACES LEFT — Portrait Wash Drawing Workshop📅 14–15 February 2026 | Sat & Sun⏰ 9.30am–4.30pmhttps://www.realist...
08/02/2026

🎨 ONLY 2 PLACES LEFT — Portrait Wash Drawing Workshop
📅 14–15 February 2026 | Sat & Sun
⏰ 9.30am–4.30pm
https://www.realistacademy.com/product/imprimatura-portrait-of-lynn/
Do you draw confidently — but freeze when it’s time to paint?
This 2-day intensive workshop is designed to bridge that gap.
You’ll learn how to use wash drawing to:
✔ Simplify portraits
✔ Build strong structure and tone
✔ Create a clear plan for painting
✔ Gain confidence before touching oils
By Sunday afternoon, you’ll have a finished portrait study and a repeatable process you can take into your own work.
Small group. Hands-on teaching. Individual guidance throughout.
⚠️ Only 2 places remaining. Once they’re gone, booking closes.
Message me or comment below to secure your spot 👇

28/01/2026

Week 3. Last week’s tonal portrait session 🖤🤍
We concentrated on refining the face, carefully rendering the smaller forms and subtle tonal transitions that give the portrait clarity and depth.
Removing colour allowed us to focus purely on structure and how light moves across the form.
A measured, thoughtful session where small refinements made all the difference.

19/01/2026

Week 2 of our tonal portrait class 🖤🤍
This week we worked in black and white, focusing on how light and shadow describe the face.
We broke the head down into simple planes (flat areas) and adjusted the light and dark tones as we went, helping the portrait feel more solid and three-dimensional before adding detail.
Everyone worked from the same photo reference, so they could follow Louis’s demonstration stroke for stroke, making it easier to understand the process step by step.
A really strong session with great focus and steady progress from everyone.

✨ A Year of Growth, Skill & Creativity ✨Looking back on the Part Time Portrait Course, it’s incredible to see just how m...
16/01/2026

✨ A Year of Growth, Skill & Creativity ✨
Looking back on the Part Time Portrait Course, it’s incredible to see just how much our students have achieved. From tentative first marks to confident, expressive work, the progress has been inspiring at every stage.
Over the year, students:
🎨 Built strong foundations in drawing and painting
✏️ Learned to see form, light, and proportion with clarity
🖌️ Developed confidence working with classical techniques
🧠 Gained the tools to think independently and critically about their own work
More than finished artworks, this programme was about learning how to learn — understanding process, embracing mistakes, and discovering personal creative voices in a supportive studio environment.
I’m incredibly proud of the dedication, curiosity, and courage shown by everyone involved. These images capture just a small part of the journey, but they speak volumes about the commitment and growth that took place.
Thank you to all the students who trusted the process and put in the work — this is only the beginning. 💙

Address

Warrington

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

07960989666

Website

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